Dr. Vartika Nanda: Media Educator & Prison Reformer: June 2024

Jun 28, 2024

Jail Radio: Sonipat

Sonipat Jail Radio: 2022

Superintendent: Shri Rajender Singh

Assistant Superintendent: Shri Kishori Lal

History of Sonipat Jail: District Jail, Sonipat was built in 1983. This is among the new jails of Haryana. This jail was earlier infamous for inmates indulging in gang wars in different parts of Haryana.

Capacity and sanctioned strength: District Jail, Sonipat has about 1100 inmates, including 100 women inmates, against the sanctioned capacity of 745 inmates. 148 inmates are undergoing rigorous imprisonment.

Jail Radio: With the introduction and continuity of prison radio, it is seen as a place of reformation and creativity. Jail authorities do find a visible change.

International Conference 2023: Tinka Tinka Foundation represented India at the 7th ECREA Radio and Sound Conference, held from September 6th to 8th, 2023, in Barcelona, Spain. This year's conference's theme was ‘Radio and Sound Ecosystems in the Platform Age.’ Dr. Vartika Nanda, founder of Tinka Tinka Foundation, delivered a detailed presentation on “Music on Prison Radio: Impact of Tinka Jail Radio on Inmates in Sonipat Prison, Haryana, India”, in the panel on “Incarcerated sounds: Making radio within the prison ecosystem.” The Catalan Radio Observatory (GRISS-UAB) and the Department of Audio-visual Communication and Advertising of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) hosted the conference at the Casa de la Convalescència.

Citations & References: Tinka Jail Radio in District Jail, Sonipat (Haryana)

YouTube

Tinka Tinka Jail Radio। Episode 71 । Music on Prison Radio। District Jail, Sonipat | Vartika Nanda|Prison Reforms| Podcast|https://youtu.be/jSEm5mPbCdA?si=mbNZQhqko8pGiofc

Tinka Tinka Jail Radio| Episode 62: Sonipat Radio that educates: Vartika Nanda |Prison Reforms| Podcast| https://youtu.be/4Pgub3opnos?si=UsPhs5gfYJTfKL77

Tinka Tinka Jail Radio। Episode 40। Tinka Tinka Foundation Day and Sonipat Jail Radio। Vartika Nanda |Prison Reforms| Podcast| https://youtu.be/5cNWtHslGwU?si=7HYxZYyGDoyY7X-m

Music on Prison Radio। Tinka Jail Radio in Barcelona, Spain। Vartika Nanda – YouTube

Media Coverage

Tinka Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 40: Tinka Tinka Foundation Day and Sonipat Jail Radio | 8 Nov, 2022: https://www.listennotes.com/pt/podcasts/vartika-nanda/tinka-tinka-jail-radio-LaA5VfJWUIp/

Tinka Tinka Foundation | Tinka Tinka Jail Radio| April 10 2023 | Sonipat | Tinka Jail Radio in District Jail, Sonipat is providing inmates a platform for education, art & spirituality | Vartika Nanda| Prison Reforms| https://tinkatinka.org/tinka-jail-radio-in-district-jail-sonipat-is-providing-inmates-a-stable-platform-for-education-art-spiritual-learning-leading-them-towards-reformation/

Tinka Tinka Jail Radio: Two Teachers Come Together To Create Prison Radio In District Jail, Sonipat | SEPTEMBER 5, 2022: https://womansera.com/tinka-tinka-jail-radio-two-teachers-come-together-to-create-prison-radio-in-district-jail-sonipat/

Tinka Tinka Jail Radio|April 1o 2023| Amar Ujala | Sonipat : Now The Women Prisoners In The Jail Will Become Radio Jockeys And Will Play The Songs Of The Prisoners Choice | Vartika Nanda | Prison Reforms | https://www.amarujala.com/haryana/sonipat/now-the-women-prisoners-in-the-jail-will-become-radio-jockeys-and-will-play-the-songs-of-the-prisoners-choice-2023-04-10

Now The Women Prisoners In The Jail Will Become Radio Jockeys And Will Play The Songs Of The Prisoners Choice – Amar Ujala Hindi News Live – Sonipat:अब जेल में महिला बंदी रेडियो जॉकी बन सुनाएंगी पसंद के गाने, बंदी पोस्टकार्ड पर गाना लिखकर भेजेंगे

https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=41&q=सोनीपत+जेल+रेडियो&cvid=eca4008c779845158920c100db364c46&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDQzNjVqMGoxqAIAsAIA&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=U531

Haryana Jail Radio touched new dimensions under the leadership of these two teachers | Teachers Day 2022: हरियाणा के जेल रेडियो ने इन दो शिक्षकों की अगुवाई में छुए नए आयाम, कैदियों की जिंदगी बदली (abplive.com)

सोनीपत के जेल अधीक्षक को मिला अवार्ड – dainiktribuneonline.com

Journey of Success: Ambala Jail Radio: Tinka Tinka Jail Radio celebrates two years

February 26, 2023

Journey of Success: Ambala Jail Radio: Tinka Tinka Jail Radio in Ambala celebrates two years

· This is the oldest prison in Haryana

· This prison has witnessed the execution of Nathu Ram Godse

· Prison Radio is the brainchild of prison reformer Vartika Nanda

On a momentous occasion on Sunday, Central Jail, Ambala, celebrated two years of the establishment of jail radio in its premises. Central Jail in Ambala, Haryana’s oldest prison, was amongst the first three prisons chosen by the Tinka Tinka Foundation to have its own jail radio station in 2021. Dr. Vartika Nanda, prison reformer and Founder of the Tinka Tinka Foundation has conceptualized and executed prison radios in Haryana. She has done Auditions and selection of inmates and has turned a large number of inmates into radio jockeys.

History of Ambala Jail Radio

Counted amongst India’s significant historical prisons, Central Jail, Ambala, has been witness to many significant events from India’s pre- and post-independence past. Notably, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, Nathuram Godse, was also imprisoned and later executed in this prison in 1949.

The jail radio and the progress

Catering to the communication needs of a population of over 1100 inmates, Ambala Jail Radio trained 10 inmates into talented radio jockeys in 2021, in its initial stage. Later on, new inmates kept joining the bandwagon. Inmates have received new wings of freedom within their restricted prison compounds through this prison radio. The prison now reverberates with different radio programs, ranging from news broadcasts, cultural shows, and songs-on-request, among others, following a predetermined daily schedule. It also offers inmates their very own platform to channel their emotional and creative underpinnings through the medium of auditory expression. The jail receives nearly 50 letters every day, many of them addressed to the inmate-turned-RJs working here in the special prison radio station. The jail today holds a very special identity of having a unique jail radio based on the acclaimed TINKA MODEL OF PRISON REFORMS.

According to Vartika Nanda,” Two special letter boxes have been placed near the jail radio room. Inmates receive 30 to 40 letters every day. Most of them demand to listen to more patriotic songs. We would like to especially acknowledge the Support of Sanjaav Pattar, Superintendent, and Neelam, Deputy Superintendent. Satish, Rishi, Amit, Kishan, Devender, Sheru – all these inmates had created several songs about the jail radio. Today, on the completion of two years, these songs were again played on the jail radio.”

Success Stories of Ambala Jail Radio

Earlier in 2021, the prison facility made it to news for a distinct song penned and voiced by an inmate, RJ Sheru at the peak of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. His song alerting common citizens on the importance of COVID-19-appropriate behavior and vigilance was also appreciated by the then Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. This was amongst the first musical compositions released from Tinka Tinka’s long jail radio campaign across Haryana which has established jail radio stations in 9 out of 20 jails in the state so far. The jail is also among the first to empower women inmates by offering them a special platform to emerge as radio jockeys, singers, songwriters, musicians, and technicians for the in-house jail radio station.

Story of Haryana Jail Radio and the Role of Tinka Tinka Foundation

Haryana Jail Radio was conceived in the year 2020. Jails of Haryana were divided into 3 different phases. The first phase had three jails- District Jail, Panipat, District Jail, Faridabad, and Central Jail, Ambala. The second phase had four jails- District Jails of Karnal, Rohtak, Gurugram, and Central Jail (I) Hisar. The third phase has five jails- District Jails of Sonipat, Sirsa, Jind, Jhajjar, and Yamunanagar.

The first jail radio of Haryana was inaugurated in District Jail, Panipat by Shri Ranjit Singh (Jail Minister), Shri Rajiv Arora IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Jail), and Shri K. Selvaraj, (IPS), DG Prisons, Haryana in January 2021.

Background of Tinka Tinka Foundation

Dr. Vartika Nanda heads the Department of Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University. She has initiated a movement on prison reforms in India under the banner, Tinka Tinka. The President of India conferred the Stree Shakti Puraskar on her in 2014. Her work on prisons was taken cognizance by the Supreme Court of India in 2018. Her name has also been included in the Limca Book of Records twice for her unique work on prison reforms. She launched Tinka Tinka Prison Radio in 2020, the only podcast series in India that brings out voices from jails. These exclusive podcasts have completed nearly 60 episodes.

Links:

Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 58: Ambala jail radio and the voices behind bars: https://youtu.be/O_X1910xDg0

Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 36: Ambala jail radio and the women inmates: https://youtu.be/W7FHVgeS5E4

Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 16: RJ singer Sheru on COVID-19: https://youtu.be/aObMkGTcNQc

Haryana: जिस जेल में नाथूराम गोडसे को दी गई फांसी, वहां तिनका-तिनका फाउंडेशन दिखा रहा जिंदगी की नई राह: Haryana:जिस जेल में नाथूराम गोडसे को दी गई फांसी, वहां तिनका-तिनका फाउंडेशन दिखा रहा जिंदगी की नई राह – Haryana Central Jail Radio Programme By Vertika Nanda Tinka Tinka Foundation – Amar Ujala Hindi News Live

(This article is part of Tinka Tinka Prison Research Cell established in 2021)February 26, 2023

Journey of Success: Ambala Jail Radio: Tinka Tinka Jail Radio in Ambala celebrates two years

· This is the oldest prison in Haryana

· This prison has witnessed the execution of Nathu Ram Godse

· Prison Radio is the brainchild of prison reformer Vartika Nanda

History of Ambala Jail Radio

The jail radio and the progress

Catering to the communication needs of a population of over 1100 inmates, Ambala Jail Radio trained 10 inmates into talented radio jockeys in 2021, in its initial stage.. Later on, new inmates kept joining the bandwagon. Inmates have received new wings of freedom within their restricted prison compounds through this prison radio. The prison now reverberates with different radio programs, ranging from news broadcasts, cultural shows, and songs-on-request, among others, following a predetermined daily schedule. It also offers inmates their very own platform to channel their emotional and creative underpinnings through the medium of auditory expression. The jail receives nearly 50 letters every day, many of them addressed to the inmate-turned-RJs working here in the special prison radio station. The jail today holds a very special identity of having a unique jail radio based on the acclaimed TINKA MODEL OF PRISON REFORMS.

Success Stories of Ambala Jail Radio

Earlier in 2021, the prison facility made it to news for a distinct song penned and voiced by an inmate, RJ Sheru at the peak of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. His song alerting common citizens on the importance of COVID-19-appropriate behavior and vigilance was also appreciated by the then Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. This was amongst the first musical compositions released from Tinka Tinka’s long jail radio campaign across Haryana which has established jail radio stations in 9 out of 20 jails in the state so far. The jail is also amongst the first to empower women inmates by offering them a special platform to emerge as radio jockeys, singers, songwriters, musicians, and technicians for the in-house jail radio station.

Story of Haryana Jail Radio and the Role of Tinka Tinka Foundation

Background of Tinka Tinka Foundation

Links:

Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 58: Ambala jail radio and the voices behind bars: https://youtu.be/O_X1910xDg0

Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 36: Ambala jail radio and the women inmates: https://youtu.be/W7FHVgeS5E4

Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 16: RJ singer Sheru on COVID-19: https://youtu.be/aObMkGTcNQc

(This article is part of Tinka Tinka Prison Research Cell established in 2021)

website link:https://tinkatinka.org/journey-of-success-ambala-jail-radio-tinka-tinka-jail-radio-in-ambala-celebrates-two-years/

जेल की तिनका तिनका यात्रा: शब्द और आवाजें: डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा: राष्ट्रीय महिला आयोग द्वारा प्रकाशित

जेल की तिनका तिनका यात्रा: शब्द और आवाजें:

डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा, तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन

प्रकाशन : अरुणिमा ‘संकल्प से सिद्धि’

अर्धवार्षिक पत्रिका

वर्ष-2024, अंक 2 ( राष्ट्रीय महिला आयोग द्वारा प्रकाशित)

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Jun 27, 2024

10 April, 2022

Tinka Jail Radio: Navratri prayers in Kurukshetra Jail

15 inmates gathered in a room on the ninth day of Navratri to offer prayers on Ram Navami through hymns and a traditional ‘Mata ki Chowki’. The divine echo enchanted the rest of the inmates too who were prompted to request that the devotional rhythm be played repeatedly. It is all to Tinka Jail Radio’s credit that a new flame of righteousness and devotion has sparked among the inmates encouraging them to become better human beings.

Kurukshetra Jail Radio

The mission to bring jail radio to Haryana’s jails commenced in the year 2020. The first jail radio was established in Panipat in 2021. For the last few months, the work of bringing jail radio to Kurukshetra Jail has also begun for which 10 men and 2 women inmates have been selected as radio jockeys.

Kurukshetra’s Jail Radio is going to start its operations very soon. Considering the historicity of Kurukshetra, programs are also being prepared on the discourses related to Gita and Mahabharata.

19th December, 2021

Soon a new voice to join: Welcome to Kurukshetra Jail radio

Inmates lodged in District Jail, Kurukshetra will soon attain a new identity as Radio Jockeys for the soon-to-be-launched prison radio. The process of selection for the team has begun, making Haryana one of the few states in India with prison radio in more than half of their jails. Inmates with the skill to communicate and sing are being chosen separately for creating programs and also music for the jail radio. The auditions and training will be conducted by Dr. Vartika Nanda, prison reformer and the Founder of the Tinka Tinka Foundation, which is working for the upliftment of inmates. Prison Radio in Haryana is the brainchild of Vartika Nanda.

History of Kurukshetra Jail

District Jail, Kurukshetra is built on a land area of 15 acres. This jail was inaugurated by the Haryana Jail Minister on 5th January 1995. Currently, this jail has nearly 670 inmates, out of which 32 are women.

Support and encouragement by Jail Officers

According to Shri Mohammad Akil, Director General of Prisons, Haryana, “ Prison radio has yielded positive results in all the jails of Haryana wherever we have launched it. The objective is to give inmates a constructive engagement and enhance their skills, also helping the reformation process. “Shri S N Jagat, Superintendent of the Jail has confirmed that the audition of inmates will start soon and subsequently the training program so that inmates get a new tool of communication in the coming year.

Prison Radio has come in phases

There are 19 jails in Haryana, out of which radio has already been launched in District jails Faridabad, Panipat, and Central Jail Ambala under Phase I of the project. In the second phase, prison radio has started in District Jails Karnal, Rohtak, Gurugram, and Central Jail (I) Hisar. District Jail Kurukshetra was selected in phase III along with District Jails Sirsa, Sonipat, Jind, and Yamunanagar.

About Tinka Tinka Foundation

Haryana Jail Radio is conceptualized by Dr. Vartika Nanda, founder of the Tinka Tinka Foundation. Previously, the Foundation had started Jail Radio in District Jail, Agra in 2019. The growth of prison radios in Haryana is part of an ongoing study on the Tinka Tinka Model of Prison Reforms. Dr. Vartika Nanda heads the Department of Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi.

Recently Haryana Prison Radio came in national news with the release of the song sung by Sheru, an inmate lodged In Ambala Central Jail. Based on the theme of Covid-19, this song was shared by the former Union Health Minister, on his social media platforms.

website link: https://tinkatinka.org/jail-radio-kurukshetra/

Jun 26, 2024

Jail Radio: Jind

21 जनवरी, 2024

जेल में राम उत्सव- बंदियों ने गाया राम भजन

जिला जेल जींद के बंदियों ने गाया मनमोहक राम भजन

जिला जेल जींद में बंदी जयभगवान ने तिनका तिनका जेल रेडियो के माध्यम से 22 जनवरी को अयोध्या के राम मंदिर में होने वाले रामलला के प्राण प्रतिष्ठा समारोह के लिए एक मनमोहक राम भजन गया है.

भजन गायकों की टीम

आए अवध में राम शीर्षक से लिखे गए इस भजन को 32 साल के जयभगवान ने गाया है। उनके साथ चार बंदियों- रामरूप (ढोलक वादक), शशि (हारमोनियम वादक), सुनील (मटका वादक) और गोविंद ( मटका वादक) ने वाद्यों पर साथ दिया है. इस भजन को लिखा भी जयभगवान ने ही है.

जींद के अधीक्षक ने किया प्रोत्साहित

इस अवसर पर जिला जेल, जींद के अधीक्षक संजीव बुधवार ने बताया, “बंदी जयभगवान ने अन्य बंदियों के साथ मिलकर जेल में स्थापित तिनका जेल रेडियों के माध्यम से एक मनमोहक भजन गया है. तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन की संस्थापक डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा ने 2021 में हरियाणा की जेलों में जेल रेडियो की शुरुआत की थी. जिन जेलों में रेडियो सुचारु रूप से चल रहा है, उनमें से एक जींद जेल का रेडियो भी है. ”

जयभगवान को मिल चुका है तिनका तिनका इंडिया अवॉर्ड

अधीक्षक श्री संजीव बुधवार ने आगे बताया कि ‘बंदी जयभगवान को 2023 में ही जेल रेडियो के माध्यम से गायन के क्षेत्र में अहम योगदान के लिए राष्ट्रीय तिनका तिनका इडिंया अवॉर्ड से सम्मानित किया गया था. इससे पहले भी यूट्यूब के तिनका तिनका जेल रेडियो पर जयभगवान की प्रतिभा को सुनाया जा चुका है’

तिनका तिनका की संस्थापक वर्तिका नन्दा ने इसे राष्ट्रीयता और अध्यात्म से जोड़ा

डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा का कहना है, “सीमित संसाधनों के बावजूद जयभगवान ने इस खूबसूरत भजन को गया है. जब बाहर की दुनिया को प्राण प्रतिष्ठा को आज़ादी के साथ मना रही है, जेल का बंदी जेल रेडियो के माध्यम से अपनी ख़ुशी का इज़हार कर रहा है. यह सौभाग्य है कि ऐसे ऐतिहासिक अवसर पर जेल रेडियो ने बंदियों के भक्ति भाव को प्रस्तुत करने में एक बड़ी भूमिका अदा की है. हम जेल रेडियो पर एक विस्तृत शोध कर रहे हैं जिसमें जीदं जेल को खास तौर से शामिल किया गया है ”

‘जेल रेडियो सकारात्मक बदलाव ला रहा है’

अधीक्षक संजीव बुधवार के अनुसार, “जेल रेडियो के माध्यम से बंदी अपने जीवन पर या किसी अच्छे कार्य के बारे में अपने विचार साझा और अपनी छिपी हुई प्रतिभा को उजागर कर सकते हैं. जेल रेडियो के संचालन का मुख्य कारण बंदियों के भीतर साकारात्मक बदलाव लाना है. जेल रेडियो की वजह से जेलों में सवांद की कमी पूरी होगी. वहीं तिनका तिनका जो बंदियों को अवॉर्ड देता है उससे बंदियों को अच्छे काम करने की प्रेरणा मिलती है.”

जेल की टीम

गाने को रिलीज करने के अवसर पर श्री बीरेंद्र सिंह उप-अधीक्षक जेल, श्री संदीप दागीं, उप-अधीक्षक जेल, श्री रमेश कुमार उप-सहायक अधीक्षक जेल और अन्य जेल स्टाफ़ के सदस्य उपस्थित रहे. इस गाने को तिनका जेल रेडियो के 81वें अंक के तौर पर विशेष तौर पर प्रसारित किया जा रहा है और इसे पूरी जेल में सुनाया भी जा रहा है तिका सभी बंंदी प्रेरित हों.

Music from Jail: 25 December

2023: Dreams that are made true behind prison bars

Jai Bhagwan, an inmate incarcerated in District Jail, Jind, was a singer before his imprisonment. His long-held dream of releasing his own audio album has become a reality during his time in prison. Tinka Tinka Foundation, a public charitable trust dedicated to prison reforms, has released a song written by him. Jai Bhagwan, an undertrial inmate, was among the eleven prisoners selected as radio jockeys in this jail in 2022 by Dr. Vartika Nanda, prison reformer and founder of Tinka Tinka Foundation. Tinka Tinka Jail Radio is part of a broader unique exercise initiated by Tinka Tinka Foundation, introducing prison radios across the state of Haryana. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sag02xT9Pig)

Jai Bhagwan’s song (गमे ज़िंदगी में मुस्कुराना सीख ले/ बुरे वक्त में मन समझाना सीख ले/ न जाने कब मिल जाए मंज़िल/ मुश्किलों में कदम बढ़ाना सीख ले) delves into themes of hope and creativity within the confines of jail. Following the training of inmates and the subsequent launch of the prison radio, a chosen team of inmates, including Jai Bhagwan, were tasked and exhorted to create their own stories and content for Tinka Prison Radio. Jai Bhagwan chose to write songs. (https://tinkatinka.org/jail-music-2/)

How did this experiment begin?

In an innovative move, this song was shared with District Jail, Dehradun in Uttarakhand, breathing new life into the composition. Sanjeev Kumar, Superintendent, of District Jail, Jind, and Pavan Kothari, Jailer, of District Jail, Dehradun, provided crucial support to facilitate this collaborative effort. The responsibility of composing the song was entrusted to Dr. Suchit Narang, an inmate lodged in District Jail, Dehradun. He along with two other inmates, Arun and Rohit, displayed extraordinary ingenuity to compose the lyrics. This collaborative effort bridged two jails from different states, resulting in a beautiful creation. This song has been released on Tinka Tinka Jail Radio podcast episode 77. Tinka Tinka Jail Radio। Episode 77। Music in Jail। From Haryana to Uttarakhand। Vartika Nanda (youtube.com)

Who is Suchit Narang

Dr. Suchit Narang, an undertrial inmate, is visually challenged and has been in prison since 2018. He was selected as one of the radio jockeys for Tinka Jail Radio. Dr. Narang is the creative mind behind the theme song of Tinka Jail Radio, released on May 31, 2023 (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L19FMAoUcME). This theme song now opens and concludes every episode of Tinka Jail Radio. It is heard by a large number of prison inmates across several jails in India, motivating them to engage in similar pursuits. He was recently awarded the Tinka Tinka India Award under the ‘Special Mention’ category in December 2023, on the eve of international human rights day. He was chosen for his extraordinary contribution to prison life through jail radio.

Musical experiments in prison

Tinka Tinka Foundation (TTF) is credited with introducing prison radio in the jails of District Jail, Agra, jails of Haryana and Uttarakhand. Tinka Jail Radio (TJR) has been instrumental in bringing positive change in prisons. It is a powerful tool for inmates across India to exhibit their talent. Resultantly, several musical compositions have been released through Tinka Tinka’s musical experiments behind the bars.

TTF released the corona-related song of Sheru, an inmate of Central Jail Ambala, which received appreciation from the Union Health Minister on his various social media platforms in May 2021. Tinka Tinka Jail Radio: Ep 16: RJ Singer Sheru on Covid-19 (youtube.com) Another song composed and sung by RJ Kashish of Panipat Jail was released on Nelson Mandela Day in July 2021. Vartika Nanda: Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 22: Nelson Mandela Day and Tinka Song by Kashish (youtube.com

A song on Corona sung by inmate-turned-RJ Jitendra of District Jail, Rohtak, was also shared by the Union Health Minister. Tinka Tinka also facilitated 10 inmates of District Jail, Karnal, to release the prison’s theme song. Tinka Jail Radio podcast episode 26, released on the festival of Janmashtami, featured a special Ragini, a Haryanvi folk song, sung by three inmates of Central Jail (I), Hisar. Such musical creations in jails have been widely discussed at international forums including Madrid (Spain), Barcelona (Spain) and Oslo (Norway).

Tinka Tinka Foundation (TTF) and Tinka Jail Radio

Conceptualized by prison reformer and media educator Vartika Nanda, Tinka Jail Radios empowers inmates with communication tools in prisons. These radios proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now considered essential in prison reformation efforts. Tinka Jail Radio Podcasts, initiated by TTF, stand as the only podcasts in India dedicated to prison reforms. These podcasts launched first in 2020, shed light on inmates’ significant contributions to the incarcerated. With no financial support, Tinka Jail Radio podcasts aim to connect prisons across India. With nearly 1400 jails in the country, numerous inmates have made extraordinary contributions to the development of jail life, yet these stories are often overlooked. TTF has published three books on prison reforms, considered authentic portrayals of prison life in India. Interestingly, Tinka Tihar Tihar completed 10 years this September and its second edition launch in Tihar jail was a gala event. Tinka Jail Radio। Ep 731 Releasing Tinka Tinka Tihar in Tiharl l Reporting from Jail। Vartika Nanda (youtube.com)

About Vartika Nanda

Dr. Vartika Nanda, a media educator and prison reformer, is the creator of the Tinka Tinka Foundation. This movement attempts to improve the lives of inmates lodged in different jails. The President of India awarded her the Stree Shakti Puraskar in 2014 to recognize her contributions to literature and the media. This award is the highest civilian recognition for women’s empowerment in India. Her name has been listed twice in the Limca Book of Records (in 2015 and 2017) for bringing fresh ideas to the realm of prison reforms connected to the artistic manifestations of the creative abilities of jail inmates.

जेल में संगीत- तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन ने सुरों से जोड़ी दो जेलें, दो राज्य

हरियाणा की जिला जेल, जींद में बंदी जय भगवान एक विचाराधीन कैदी हैं, जेल में आने से पहले वे एक गायक थे. जय भगवान का लंबे समय से सपना था कि उनका खुद का एक ऑडियो एल्बम रिलीज हो, जो जेल में रहने के दौरान सच हो गया है. जेल सुधारों के लिए समर्पित तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन ने जय भगवान द्वारा लिखित एक गाने को रिलीज किया है. जय भगवान उन 11 बंदियों में से एक हैं, जिन्हें 2022 में जिला जेल, जींद के तिनका जेल रेडियो के जॉकी के रूप में चुना गया था. तिनका तिनका जेल रेडियो एक विलक्षण पहल है, जिसकी शुरुआत तिनका तिनका फॉउंडेशन की संस्थापक और जेल सुधारक डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा ने की थी। इसके तहत हरियाणा की की जेलों में रेडियो लाने का सार्थक प्रयास किया जा रहा है.

जय भगवान का लिखा गीत ( मुखड़ा- गमे ज़िंदगी में मुस्कुराना सीख ले/ बुरे वक्त में मन समझाना सीख ले/ न जाने कब मिल जाए मंज़िल/ मुश्किलों में कदम बढ़ाना सीख ले) जेल की दीवारों के भीतर आशा जगाता है. तिनका जेल रेडियो की ट्रेनिंग के दौरान jab इन बंदियों को अपनी कहानी और अन्य रचनात्मक चीजों के सृजन के लिए जमकर प्रोत्साहित kiyaa gayaa तब जय भगवान ने गाने लिखने की इच्छा जताई.

कैसे शुरू हुआ यह प्रयोग?

एक अभिनव प्रयास में तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन ने ज़िला जेल, जींद के सुपरिंटेंडेंट संजीव कुमार से अनुमति लेकर ज़िला जेल, देहरादून (उत्तराखंड) के जेलर पवन कोठारी तक पहुँचाया. उसके बाद देहरादून जेल के इन तीन बंदियों ने गाने को नए सिरे से बनाया-डॉक्टर सुचित नारंग, अरुण और रोहित ने। इस गाने को तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन ने तिनका जेल रेडियो के यूट्यूब के अपने पॉडकास्ट के 77वें अंक में जारी किया है। Tinka Tinka Jail Radio। Episode 77। Music in Jail। From Haryana to Uttarakhand। Vartika Nanda (youtube.com)फाउंडेशन एक लंबे समय से जेलों को आपस में जोड़ने की मुहिम में लगी हुई है.

कौन हैं सुचित नारंग?

डॉ. सुचित नारंग एक विचाराधीन बंदी हैं. वे नेत्रहीन हैं और 2018 से जिला जेल, देहरादून में बंद हैं. जेल में आने से पहले वे एक संगीतज्ञ थे. उनका चयन 2021 में तिनका जेल रेडियो में रेडियो जॉकी के तौर पर हुआ था। उनका रचा तिनका जेल रेडियो का सिग्नेचर ट्यून 31, मई 2023 को रिलीज किया गया. अब तिनका जेल रेडियो के हर पॉडकास्ट की शुरुआत और अंत इसी सिग्नेचर ट्यून से होती है. इसे देश भर की कई जेलों के बंदी सुनते हैं. सुचित नारंग को दिसंबर 2023 में स्पेशल मेंशन कैटगरी में तिनका तिनका इंडिया अवॉर्ड दिया गया. अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार दिवस की पूर्व संध्या पर दिया जाने वाला यह भारत का इकलौता सम्मान है जो बंदियों और जेल स्टाफ को उनके उत्कृष्ट काम के लिए सम्मानित करता है. डॉ. नारंग को जेल रेडियो में विशेष योगदान के लिए यह सम्मान मिला है.

जेलों में संगीत का प्रयोग

तिनका तिनका फांउडेशन को हरियाणा और उत्तराखंड की जेलों में रेडियो लाने का श्रेय जाता है. इससे पहले फ़ाउंडेशन ने ज़िला जेल, आगरा में भी रेडियो स्थापित किया था. इन जेलों में रेडियो बंदियों के बीच सकारात्मकता लाने का एक बड़ा प्रयास करता है. इससे पहले भी जेलों से ऐसे कई गाने फांउडेशन ने रिलीज़ किए हैं.

केंद्रीय जेल, अंबाला के बंदी शेरू का कोरोना पर लिखा और गाया गाना पूरे देश में सुना गया था. इसे देश के स्वास्थ्य मंत्री ने भी काफी सराहा था. ज़िला जेल, पानीपत में कशिश ने जेल के बंदी की व्यथा और अपने में सुधार लाने की कोशिश पर एक गाना लिखा था. यह गाना 2021 में नेल्सन मंडेला दिवस के मौके पर रिलीज किया गया। Tinka Tinka Jail Radio: Ep 16: RJ Singer Sheru on Covid-19 (youtube.com)

इससे पहले जिला जेल,रोहतक में बंदी आरजे बंदी जीतेन्द्र का कोरोना पर लिखा गाना रिलीज किया गया था. जिला जेल, करनाल के 10 बंदियों ने अपने जेल रेडियो के लिए सिग्नेचर टूयून लिखा तो केंद्रीय जेल नंबर 1, हिसार के बंदियों की जन्माष्टमी पर रागिनी रिलीज की गई. बीते सालों में तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन ने जेलों में संगीत और शिक्षा के लिए जेल के रेडियो का एक प्रभावशाली माध्यम के तौर पर सकारात्मक इस्तेमाल किया है. तिनका जेल रेडियो और जेल संगीत की विस्तृत चर्चा अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मंचों पर भी हुई है. इनमें स्पेन के शहर मेड्रिड और बार्सीलोना और नॉर्वे का शहर ओस्लो शामिल है.

वर्तिका नन्दा के बारे में

डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा भारत की स्थापित जेल सुधारक, मीडिया शिक्षक और लेखिका हैं। वे अपराध और जेल पर नए प्रयोगों के लिए जानी जाती हैं। तिनका तिनका भारतीय जेलों पर वर्तिका की एक अनूठी श्रृंखला। उनकी स्थापित तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन ने देश की जेलों पर पहले और इकलौते पॉडकास्ट-तिनका तिनका जेल रेडियो की शुरुआत की। उन्होंने भारत की जेलों में पत्रकारिता की नींव रखी है। 2014 में भारत के राष्ट्रपति से स्‍त्री शक्ति पुरस्‍कार से सम्मानित। 2018 में सुप्रीम कोर्ट की एक बेंच ने जेलों पर उनकी सलाहें शामिल कीं। जेलों का उनका काम दो बार लिम्का बुक ऑफ़ रिकॉर्ड्स में शामिल हुआ। जेलों पर तीन किताबों की लेखिका। तिनका तिनका मध्यप्रदेश भारतीय जेलों पर अब तक की इकलौती कॉफी टेबल बुक है जबकि तिनका तिनका तिहाड़ ने इस साल 10 साल पूरे किए हैं।

वर्तिका नन्दा जालंधर दूरदर्शन में एशिया की सबसे छोटी एंकर बनीं। वे जी टीवी, एनडीटीवी, IIMC और लोकसभा टीवी से जुड़ी रहीं। वे लोकसभा टीवी की पहली एक्जीक्यूटिव प्रोड्यूसर बनीं। वे भारतीय टेलीविजन की उन गिनी-चुनी महिला पत्रकारों में से हैं जो अपराध पत्रकारिता से जुड़ीं और इस बीट की प्रमुख भी बनीं। वर्तमान में दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के लेडी श्रीराम कॉलेज के पत्रकारिता विभाग की प्रमुख।

Ambedkar Jayanti: Jail Radio to open for women inmates in District Jail, Jind

Bringing tremendous change in the prison atmosphere

Helpful in reducing depression, improving the well-being of inmates

On the occasion of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Jayanti, District Jail, Jind has opened its prison radio for the women inmates. These inmates were trained by prison reformer and founder of the Tinka Tinka Foundation, Dr. Vartika Nanda. Today, the prison radio acquired its status of being officially functional. These jail radios are being encouraged by Mohammad Akil, DG, Prisons, Haryana.

Jail Radio in Haryana started with its soft launch on January 1, 2023. The objective of Tinka Jail Radio is to motivate inmates to encourage literacy and education, enhance their skills in radio, reduce depression, and foster a positive prison environment.

Process of Tinka Jail Radio

Dr. Vartika took auditions of the incarcerated inmates in Jind jail and conducted training sessions for them throughout the past few months. 7 male inmates and 4 female inmates were finally selected. A separate set of inmates were chosen as singers. These inmates have now acquired the status of radio jockeys. All these inmates were trained by Dr. Vartika Nanda.

Important announcements

Dr. Vartika Nanda announced that now women inmates will also be engaged as radio jockeys and will be allowed to share their experiences. Women inmates and their children will be permitted to participate in these programs. Radio programming will include 7 different programs, which will greatly emphasize on education and music. Jind radio will now be broadcast for 3 hours every day.

Today, it was announced that inmates will also become part of Tinka Jail Radio Podcasts which are the podcasts in India dedicated to prison reforms.

As an essential component of its much-acclaimed Tinka Model of Prison Reforms, the organization has pioneered the campaign to establish prison radio in 7 of 19 jails in the state of Haryana, as well as in the barracks of Dehradun and Agra. As a part of these initiatives, nearly 100 talented and well-deserving inmates have so far received special training under Dr. Vartika Nanda’s supervision. The objective of the jail radio is to make inmates aware of national as well as social issues. Bollywood songs and Haryanavi folk music are especially loved by inmates.

Jail radio room

Today, the jail radio room was decorated with posters made by inmates. Sanjeev Kumar, Jail Superintendent of District Jail, Jind, welcomed the jail radio initiative. He mentioned that the prison department is deeply grateful to Dr. Vartika Nanda for her initiatives in Haryana jails. He underlined the fact that jail radio has been healing the problem of depression among the inmates. Jail radio has bridged the communication gap in jails and changed the mindset of inmates for the better.

Phases of Prison Radio: The backdrop

Prison radio in Haryana has been introduced in three phases- the first phase covered three jails – District Jail Panipat, District Jail Faridabad, and Central Jail Ambala.

The second phase had District Jail, Karnal, District Jail, Rohtak, District Jail, Gurugram, and Central Jail (I) Hisar. In the third phase, 5 jails were selected. These are District Jails Sirsa, Sonipat, Jind, Jhajjar, and Yamunanagar.

The state’s first Jail Radio was inaugurated at Panipat by Shri Ranjit Singh, Jail Minister, Haryana.

About Tinka Tinka & Dr. Vartika Nanda

Tinka Tinka Foundation is the brainchild of prison reformer and media educator Dr. Vartika Nanda who is credited for establishing prison radio stations in Haryana. These radio stations are carving space for a new cultural life by offering inmates the vocal medium to share their emotions, thoughts, and musical expressions with society. In 2019, Dr. Nanda established radio in District Jail, Agra, located in the oldest jail building in the country. These radio stations were given special support by Shri Rajiv Arora, ACS Home, and Shri K Selvaraj, then DG Prisons in their establishment. Shri Akil Mohammad, DG of Prisons, has also extended his unconditional support to this journey.

Dr. Nanda has been honored with the Stree Shakti Award from the President of India in 2014 for her efforts in prison reforms. Her work on prisons has twice found a place in the Limca Book of Records. Currently, she heads the Department of Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi.

14 अप्रैल, 2023

अंबेडकर दिवस/ बैशाखी पर्व जींद जेल रेडियो और महिला बंदियों की भागीदारी

हरियाणा की जेलों में रेडियो ला रहा है बड़े बदलाव

अवसाद में कमी, संवाद में बेहतरी

डॉ. भीमराव अंबेडकर जयंती पर डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा, संस्थापक तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन द्वारा जेल रेडियो के लिए प्रशिक्षित की गईं महिला बंदियों को रेडियो जॉकी के रूप में शामिल किया गया। साथ ही जेल रेडियो स्टेशन को बंदियों के लिए पूर्णरूप से चालू कर दिया गया।

जेल रेडियो की शुरुआत

जिला जेल, जींद में 1 जनवरी 2023 को हरियाणा के महानिदेशक कारागार श्री मोहम्मद अकील के मार्गदर्शन में जींद जेल के अधीक्षक संजीव कुमार और डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा के सहयोग से जेल के बंदियों के लिए जेल रेडियो की शुरुआत की गई थी। जेल रेडियो का मकसद बंदियों को शिक्षा के लिए प्रोत्साहित करना, रेडियो स्किल से जोड़ना, उनमें अवसाद की कमी लाना और उनमें सकारात्मक सोच विकसित करना है।

जेल रेडियो की प्रक्रिया

डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा ने समय-समय पर जेल के बंदियों का ओडिशन लिया। बाद में 7 पुरुष बंदियों और 4 महिला बंदियों का चयन किया गया। इसके बाद इन बंदियों को रेडियो जोकी के तौर पर प्रशिक्षित किया गया।

महत्वपूर्ण घोषणाएं

जेल अधीक्षक संजीव कुमार ने बताया कि जींद जेल रेडियो अब हर रोज 3 घंटे का प्रसारण करेगा। इसमें 7 अलग-अलग तरह के कार्यक्रम होंगे। इनमें शिक्षा और संगीत से जुड़े कार्यक्रमों को विशेष अहमियत दी जाएगी।

डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा ने बताया कि अब महिला बंदी भी रेडियो जोकी बनेंगी और अपने अनुभव साझा करेगी। वे प्रेरक कहानियां भी सुनाएंगी। महिला बंदी और उनके बच्चे भी इन कार्यक्रमों में हिस्सा ले सकेंगे। बंदियों को राष्ट्रीय और सामाजिक मुद्दों पर जागरूक करने पर भी जोर होगा। देश की कला संस्कृति को बढ़ावा देने के कार्यक्रम भी नियमित तौर पर बनाए जाएंगे। यह बंदी अब तिनका तिनका जेल रेडियो का खास हिस्सा बनेंगे ताकि उनकी आवाज दुनिया के दूसरे देश बी सुन सकें। यह देश का इकलौता पोडकास्ट है जो जेल सुधार के सिए समर्पित हैं। हरियाणा के लोकगीत इस जेल रेडियो पर खास तौर से लोकप्रिय हैं। जेल में अन्य बंदी भी पर्ची के माध्यम से अपनी फरमाईश कर अपनी पंसद के गाने भी सुन सकेंगें। अब जेल में एक लेटर बोक्स भी स्थापित किया जा रहा है।

जेल रेडियो कार्यक्रम

जेल रेडियो के स्टूडियो को आज बंदियों के लिए बनाए पोस्टर्स से सजाया गया था। संजीव कुमार, अधीक्षक जेल, जिला जेल,जींद ने डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा, संस्थापक तिनका-तिनका फाउंडेशन का जिला जेल जींद पर पहुंचने पर स्वागत किया। उन्होंने बताया कि हरियाणा जेल रेडियों की संकल्पना तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन की संस्थापक डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा ने की है। वर्ष 2019 में तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन ने जिला जेल, आगरा में जेल रेडियो स्थापित किया गया था। हरियाणा जेल रेडियो उन्हीं की संकल्पना पर आधारित है, जिसके लिए जेल विभाग की तरफ से उनका आभार भी व्यक्त किया। जेल रेडियो के माध्यम से पुरुषध् महिला बंदी अपने जीवन पर या किसी अच्छे कार्यो बारे अपने विचार साझा कर सकते हैं और अपनी छुपी हुई प्रतिभा को उजागर कर सकते हैं। जेल रेडियो को संचालन का मुख्य कारण जेलों को सुधार गृह बनाने में बहुत अच्छी पहल है। जेल रेडियो की वजह से जेलों में सवाद की कमी पूरी होगी और बन्दियों में सकरात्मक उर्जा का संचार होगा।

हरियाणा जेल रेडियो की पृष्ठभूमि

हरियाणा में जेल रेडियो को तीन चरणों में शुरू किया गया है- पहले चरण में तीन जेलें शामिल थीं- जिला जेल पानीपत, जिला जेल फरीदाबाद और केंद्रीय जेल अंबाला। दूसरे चरण में जिला जेल, करनाल, जिला जेल, रोहतक, जिला जेल, गुरुग्राम और केंद्रीय जेल हिसार (1) शामिल हैं। तीसरे चरण में 5 जेलों का चयन किया गया। यै हैं- जिला जेल सिरसा, सोनीपत, जींद, झज्जर और यमुनानगर हैं।

हरियाणा के जेल मंत्री श्री रंजीत सिंह, कारागार मंत्री, हरियाणा ने 16 जनवरी, 2021 को पानीपत में राज्य के पहले जेल रेडियो का उद्घाटन किया था।

आज जींद जेल के विसेष समारोह में श्री बिरेंद्र सिंह उप-अधीक्षक जेल, श्री संदीप दागी, उप-अधीक्षक जेल, श्री धर्मचंद सहायक अधीक्षक जेल, श्री रमेश कुमार उप-सहायक अधीक्षक जेल व अन्य तमाम जेल स्टाफ के सदस्य उपस्थित रहे।

तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन और डॉ वर्तिका नन्दा के बारे में

तिनका तिनका जेल सुधारक और मीडिया शिक्षिका डॉ. वर्तिका नन्दा की मुहिम है, जो दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के लेडी श्रीराम कालेज में पत्रकारिता विभाग की प्रमुख हैं। उन्हें 2014 में भारत के राष्ट्रपति से स्त्री शक्ति पुरस्कार से सम्मानित किया गया है। जेलों पर उनके काम को दो बार लिम्का बुक आफ रिकार्ड्स में जगह मिली है। जेलों पर उनके काम पर 2018 में भारत के सर्वोच्च न्यायालय द्वारा संज्ञान लिया गया था। ‘‘भारतीय जेलों में महिला बंदियों और उनके बच्चों की स्थिति का अध्ययन और उत्तर प्रदेश के विशेष संदर्भ में उनकी संचार आवश्यकताओं का अध्ययन‘‘ पर उनके हालिया शोध को आईसीएसएसआर द्वारा मान्यता मिली।

इससे पहले तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन ने 2019 में जिला जेल, आगरा में जेल रेडियो शुरू किया था। हरियाणा में जेल रेडियो तिनका मंडल आफ प्रिजन रिफार्म्स पर आधारित है। हर साल तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन तिनका तिनका इंडिया अवार्ड प्रदान करके भी कैदियों और जेल कर्मचारियों को प्रोत्साहित करता है। यह भारत के इकलौते अवार्ड हैं जो बंदियों और जेल स्टाफ को उनके विशेष कामों के लिए दिए जाते हैं।

Impact

“When I came to the jail, I found the atmosphere unsettling. I did not know anyone. Gradually, I started making friends. Introduction of Tinka Jail Radio helped me to make new friends in the jail.”

Jai Bhagwan, inmate, radio jockey, and a singer (at 4.37 on the YouTube link: Tinka Jail Radio। Ep 89। National Best Friend Day। Vartika Nanda। Tinka Tinka Foundation (youtube.com) )

“मैं जुलाई 2023 को जेल में आया था और अब मैं हवालाती हूं। जब मेरा यहां दिल नहीं लगा तब मैं तिनका तिनका जेल रेडियो (Tinka Tinka Jail Radio) से जुड़ा। मुझे जयभगवान और कुछ यार दोस्त अच्छे मिले और उनसे सीखने का मौका मिला। फिर मैं यहां गाने लग गया और मेरा मन भी अच्छा हो गया। अपने सुपरिंटेंडेंट की देख रेख में मैं अच्छा गाने भी लग गया और अब मैं अच्छा भी महसूस करता हूं.” (“I came to the jail on 28th July, 2023. I am an undertrial inmate. I was not able to adjust myself to the new environment till the time I was acquainted with Tinka Jail Radio. I have made friends with Jai Bhagwan and many others. Now, I sing on the jail radio and feel better than before.”)

Kuldeep, inmate, radio jockey and a singer

Website Link:https://tinkatinka.org/jail-radio-jind/

Jun 25, 2024

TINKA JAIL PAATHSHALA

अनुमान, कल्पना और सपना- जिंदगी का बड़ा हिस्सा इन्हीं पर टिका है।

इन्हें कभी कम न आंकिए। चाहे कुछ भी हो, यह तीनों हमेशा बने रहेंगे-

जेल में भी, जेल से बाहर भी।

जय-पराजय के बीच राज-राग दरबारियों की दुनिया सबसे दिलचस्प है. जो हारता होगा, वो समझता होगा कि राजदरबारी क्षणभंगुर होते हैं.

हर रोज अच्छाई को छोटा होते देखती हूं

हर रोज फिर से उठ खड़ी होती हूं.

कोरोना की कथित विदाई के बाद बहुत-से लोग अपनी सांसारिकता में लौट आए हैं। कोरोना था तो बड़े वायदे हुए थे। मन से मंत्र फूटने लगे थे। कर्म और ईश्वर का भजन होने लगा था। अब फिर गाड़ी अपराधों की पटरी पर है। इस दुनिया का आकाश बदनीयती से पटा पड़ा है। जेल भी शर्मसार है। कुछ अपराधों की सजा जेल नहीं समय देता है।

"एक जेल, जेल में। एक जेल, बाहर। एक जेल की सींखचें दिखती हैं। दूसरी की नदारद। एक जेल के बंदी अपराधी मान लिए जाते हैं। दूसरे के साफ-सफेद जिंदगी के तब तक हकदार बने रहते हैं जब तक उनका समय न आए।"

Charlie Chaplin, his life and art

Book Review

“The world is not composed of heroes and villains,

But of men and women with all the passions that God has given them.”

-Charlie Chaplin

Introduction of the book:

An impactful commentary unpeeling the layers of the man who defined the boundaries of art and cinema- Charlie Chaplin, the book is an authentic documentation of the working methods and extraordinary life of the mercurial genius of early cinema.

Acutely portraying the subtleties of his charismatic personality, the book explores the intersectionalities of intellect and cunningness woven into his peculiarities, dazzling his critics and admirers alike, in equal measure.

Through this book, Robinson has sincerely attempted to sketch the nuances of an indisputably brilliant, perverse, and courageous mind in the world of realism and art.

About the author:

One of the world's most widely respected film critics and historians, David Robinson is a remembered literary figure, specializing in the pre-history of motion pictures, film comedy, and East European cinema. His eye for meticulousness and insightful research analysis has earned him a decent reputation as a leading authority, not only on the history and artistry of world cinema but also on English music hall and popular entertainment in general. Some of his most widely-acclaimed books include his biographies on Chaplin and Keaton, "World of Cinema”,” The Great Funnies” and “Hollywood in the Twenties”.

Through the life of Chaplin:

Revolutionizing the language of Indian cinema, by intricately drawing on primitive film techniques and the traditions of Music Hall burlesque, Chaplin’s currency for performance grew to be loved universally. Known in popular vocabulary as a perfectionist, a playboy, a workaholic, a spokesman for the poor, and a playmate for the international rich, Charlie was a man of few words, his persona a dimension to his calculative and compassionate nature.

Summary of the book:

Divided into 19 segments, each artistically depicting the comprehensiveness of Charlie Chaplin’s life, from his humble beginnings as well as personal trials and tribulations to his meteoric rise to fame, the book traces Charlie’s exceptional foray through different phases of his life.

Drawing on his childhood experiences as an immigrant, leading a life of deprivation in the slums of Victorian Lambeth during 1889, his life was shaped by the tumultuous undercurrents of his parent’s separation and his mother’s struggle with mental illness. The enduring impact left by these experiences is visible in his work, which is often laced with resilience and empathy. Richly illustrated with stills from his life, selectively picked from Charlie’s archives, the book is an engaging portrait of this cinematic icon.

His formative years as a performer where he honed his cinematic skills, are fascinatingly displayed in the book, rightly “enlivening the tragedy of his comedy” and “tragifying the comedy of his life”.

Tracing his transition from being a slapstick comedian to an introspective storyteller, his unmatched creativity and commitment to art gained him widespread recognition, bolstering his foothold in the industry.

From another quarter, his personal life is also touched upon throwing an entirely different complexion to his personality, where his myriad relationships with different women at different stages of his life are focused upon, tangling his life in a mesh of romance-an imbalance of professional and personal obligations.

The biography also examines Chaplin's political activism and controversial views, particularly his outspoken criticism of fascism and his involvement in progressive causes during the tumultuous period of the early 20th century.

The book concludes with Chaplin's later years, including his exile from the United States amidst allegations of communist sympathies and his subsequent relocation to Switzerland, where he spent the remainder of his life.

Conclusion of the book:

A candid, engaging, and insightful peek devilishly capturing the subtle nuances of the life of one of the most legendary icons of cinema and art, whose seesawing personal life was as rollercoaster-like as his professional trajectory, the book is a profound take on several social, economic and personal aspects that classified the times. While taking readers on an immersive worded experience roiled with emotions and nuggets of knowledge, in a nutshell, the book is a sum total of delightful experiences packaged in a single piece running into about 800 pages.

Written by

Nausheen Khan

Roll no.23/328

Batch of 2026/7

Jun 23, 2024

Music as social commentary: Exploring the musical soundscape and its influence and the role of Tinka Tinka Jail Radio

Index:

Introduction

Characteristics

Historical perspective

Sociological perspective

Transformative influence

Impact of Musical Commentary

Case studies

Podcast: Episode

- 77 Aaye Awadh mein Ram from Jail Radio:

- Podcast:episode 67: Tinka Tinka Dasna

- Podcast episode 75: Central Jail, Bilaspur

Introduction

An expression of social relatedness and self-consciousness, music has evolved primarily as a means of social cohesion and communication, intricately woven into the fabric of human interaction, deeply influencing psychological functions and cognitive behavior. As the fulcrum of social well-being, music has been embedded deeply in everyday life to an extent where it has become the equivalent of a unifying adhesive. As a medium of communication facilitation, it has acquired a universal language manifested in the synchronization of rhythm and lyrics. Time and again, the healing power of music has been banked upon to offer a critique of the socially paralyzing aspects of religion, culture, and politics.

Characteristics of Music as a Social Commentary

As a ground of artistry and self-expression, scientifically, music induces motor outputs facilitating instant response, connecting with human emotions while building a homogenous form of mutual trust and social cohesion.

As a tool of social communication,it is believed to miraculously diffuse tensions expediting conflict resolution while fostering dialogue and cooperation.

The association of music with participatory activities is considered to create a singular temporal environment sustaining attentiveness and elevating experiential depth involuntarily.

“Sometimes the communication stems from a simple loss for words. I had to teach a conservatory music theory class the morning after 9/11. All I could do was play a recording of Pablo Casals performing Bach. It helped. I have come to believe that this deep level of communication is a kind of superpower. “ (Mark George, President and CEO, Music Institute Of Chicago).

Song lyrics help understand and modify cultural consciousness while venting out ideas of anger, hope, frustration, and pain. The Tokyo University of the Arts and the University of Exeter both performed a study that affirmed how music unites us. Their studies found that different songs from all over the world have similar aspects that promote both coordination and bonding among social groups. Over 304 studied recordings were performed on diverse complex music from all parts of the world. The results established that consistent features related to rhythm and pitch resulted in statistical characteristics about inter-relationships and social context.

Historical Perspective-

Throughout history, music has emerged as a venting funnel demonstrating social attitudes and conventions. It has long been harnessed by global movements seeking social change.A particular example of this is the social movement wave of the 1950s and 1960s where black and white musicians successfully addressed racism.

Sociological Perspective-

Music and society have always been intimately related. Music reflects and creates social conditions – including the factors that either facilitate or impede social change. Music can validate your current emotional state and influence your emotional destination. Again, the Iso principle can help us experience desired emotions, creating a collective social impact. Sociologically speaking, the collective production of music, its micro-foundations of interaction, and macro-level dynamics of inequality demonstrate its social relevance by closely ending the gap between individuals and society.

“Music is sociological in at least five ways. it is a commodity or a cultural object; it is an activity that organizes social interaction; it contains and transmits cultural meanings; it expresses the identity of the listeners; and lastly, the venues, genres, and instrumentation of music reveal forms of social stratification, such as gender and race. “ William G. Roy

Music cannon, taste, and social exclusion are closely interrelated as all are connected to the dynamics of society.

For example -

The ever-expanding status quo is defined by high modernity and advanced capitalism. Participatory music-making and dance are among a variety of activities that can be potent resources for social change and provide alternative models for citizenship because they operate according to values and practices diametrically opposed to capitalist ethics, are voluntarily open to anyone interested, and become the basis of special social cohorts—social groups drawn together by enthusiasm for the activity and shared preexisting tendencies toward the broader values that underlie the activity. Constraints on musical expression in the form of music censorship can impact artistic expression and social responsibility. Concerned with structures, practices, and motivations for music making, the cathartic aspect of social responsibility makes music a cathartic collective participatory activity.

Transformative Influence of Music on Society

In the intricate tapestry of human existence, music stands as a powerful agent of change, intertwining rhythm, and meaning to convey profound insights into society. Its unique ability to transcend linguistic barriers makes it a universal language, capable of resonating with individuals from all walks of life, irrespective of race, caste, class, gender, or disability. Studies conducted by esteemed institutions such as the Tokyo University of the Arts and the University of Exeter confirm music's ability to unite dialysis of recordings from around the globe revealing shared elements of rhythm and pitch that foster coordination and social bonds.

The evolution of recording techniques and technological advancements has revolutionized access to music, democratizing its consumption and distribution. However, challenges such as music censorship can impede artistic expression and hinder social responsibility, underscoring the delicate balance between creativity and societal norms.

Furthermore, the complex interplay between music, taste, and social exclusion highlights broader societal dynamics.

Impact through Tinka Jail Radio

Dr. Vartika Nanda's pioneering work with the Tinka Tinka Foundation exemplifies how music can serve as a tool for social upliftment and rehabilitation, amplifying marginalized voices and fostering inclusivity. Link: Tinka Tinka Jail Radio। Ep 90। World Music Day । Musical creations through Tinka Jail Radio। TTF - YouTube

Established as a public charitable trust aimed at instilling positivity, healing change, and creativity in prisoners while integrating them into the nation-building process, the Tinka Tinka Foundation has been taking micro steps at the macro level for reforming the inmates through the power of art, literature, music, journalism, education, and life skills.

Here is an insight into recent organizational endeavors bridging the gap between inmates and the world outside harnessing musical energy-

CASE STUDIES:

Podcast: Episode 77 Aaye Awadh mein Ram From Jail Radio:Jind: date:21 Jan 2024:Tinka Tinka Foundation:Link: Tinka Jail Radio। Ep 81आए अवध में राम। Prayers from Jind Jail।Tinka Tinka Foundation। Vartika Nanda

Released on 25 January 2024 by the Tinka Tinka Organisation under the aegis of Dr.Vartika Nanda, this episode unleashes the coming true dreams of inmates lodged behind bars.The podcast traces the story of Jai Bhagwan, an inmate incarcerated in District Jail, and Jind, a singer before being imprisoned. Tinka Tinka created another rainbow out of his long-held dream of releasing his own song written by him. A unique musical experiment, Jai Bhagwan’s song gham e zindagi mein Muskurana Chod de Delving into ideas of hope, positivity, and creativity is a soulful rendition. Following this, there was a unique collaborative effort between two distant jails of Jind and Dehradun, wherein exhorted by training material provided for Tinka jail radio, an innovative song was released.

Podcast: Episode 67: Tinka Tinka Dasna: A musical confluence of two jails: Released on 30 June, 2023:Link: Vartika Nanda: Tinka Jail Radio Episode 67: Tinka Tinka Dasna: A musical confluence of two jails

A unique musical collaboration between two jails and a free exchange of creativity as a musical confluence was discovered when the theme song for Tinka Tinka Dasna composed by Dr.Vartika Nanda to give creative power and open the senses of inmates 8 years ago was reworked in 2016. Sung by 13 inmates of District Jail, Dasna, the composition is a mosaic of experiences and stories sung in front of the main wall of the jail, later adopted as the theme song. Recreated by Mahendra Prajapati, an inmate lodged in Sabarmati jail, Gujarat,the song is aimed at the infusion of creativity and music, a driving force,a space of change,a guiding light.

Podcast 75: Central Jail, Bilaspur: Released on 30 October, 2023:Link: Tinka Jail Radio। Ep 75। Music from Central Jail Bilaspur Chhattisgarh। THR। Vartika Nanda

Shyam Bai was a woman who spent 20 years lodged in the prison walls. A former folk singer with two released albums to her name, she was a passionate soul when it came to musical artistry.n 2017, she was able to reconnect with music through inspiration in the form of a poem from Thee…Hoon…Rahungi…, a collection of poems composed by Dr Vartika Nanda, the founder of the Tinka Tinka Foundation and India's leading prison reformer. The words from the book have been painted across prison walls all over the country and the essence of the poem resonates with women in prisons.

Podcast 16: Central Jail, Ambala: Song on Corona by Sheru: Released on 22 May, 2021:Tinka Tinka Foundation:Link:Sheru: RJ, Singer and Star from Ambala Jail Radio

A song carrying hope, optimism and positivity at its heart, reverberating through the dingy cells of Haryana, amplified by the Haryana radio created a new dawn in the dark and treacherous prison life. Sung by Sheru, an inmate lodged within Ambala’s Central jail.

5.Podcast|Main Hoon Tinka। Tinka Tinka Foundation। Magic from Dehradun Jail:Released on 30 May 2023:Link:Main Hoon Tinka। Tinka Tinka Foundation। Magic from Dehradun Jail: Promo 2: 7 voices

Tinka Tinka Foundation focused on creating rainbows within prisons and propelled dreams to the horizon when it manifested the vision of the visually challenged Suchit Narang into reality. Fructified with the assistance of three officers, Inspector General of Uttarakhand Prisons Vimla Gunjyal, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons and Senior Superintendent of Dehradun Jail, Dadhiram and Jailor Pawan Kothari, Main Hoon Tinka is a is the exposition of the talent of three inmates-Rohit Verma, Suchit Narang, and Arun. Tinka Tinka Foundation provided them a safe space of creative expression where they have got the opportunity to release their signature tune.”Dr. Narang is a convict, lodged in District Jail, Dehradun in Uttarakhand. We celebrate music every day. ” Dr. Vartika Nanda

Impact: Tinka Tinka Organisation,a credible charitable public trust not only recognizes talent but also gives prisoners their long-lost vocals, thereby rebuilding their confidence. The songs espouse the creation of awareness surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and other socially relevant themes.They also played a crucial role during lockdown highlighting the threatening nature of the pandemic and the importance of wearing masks.

Tinka Tinka Foundation and reformational musical efforts

The word “Tinka” taken from the Hindi language literally meaning straw, represents the essence of the Tinka Tinka Foundation, indicating moving bit by bit, step by step, to initiate positive changes in the lives of prisoners. It acts as a walking stick for destitute conditions of prisoners who face by multiple challenges.

“With the motto of creating rainbows in prisons, the Tinka Tinka Foundation is providing opportunities to inmates to rewrite their lives and fill them with the magic of music. The Tinka model of prison radio has been the focal point of change and Tinka jail radios in Haryana and Uttarakhand have made major contributions towards this effort using music as a vital tool. Musical creations in jails are a significant segment of Tinka Jail Paathshala, drastically reforming the bleak face of educational backwardness of the inmates.”

Dr. Vartika Nanda, prison reformer & Founder, Tinka Tinka Foundation

Conclusion

Music emerges as a transcendent force that shapes and reflects societal norms, values, and aspirations. Its ability to bridge divides, inspire change, and foster empathy underscores its enduring significance in the fabric of human civilization. It is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind can’t comprehend. Music is therapy. It moves people. It connects people in ways no other medium can. It pulls heartstrings. It acts as medicine.

“Music is a language that doesn’t speak in words. It speaks in emotions and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones.”-Keith Richards

Envisioned as a movement that would act as a bridge between prisons, the judiciary, and society, the Tinka Tinka Foundation has been taking significant steps to accelerate the process of integrating inmates into society by contemplating ways of treating them as human resources, so that, they too, can be involved as equal stakeholders in the process of nation building. Since music acts as a therapy to bind together, over a dozen songs have been released from the prison radios since 2019. These efforts, in a nutshell, are building blocks indicating a larger change steering the society in a positive direction.

posters made by Samiksha Manaktala, S Keerthana, and Priyanka Gupta

for World Music Day.

Links and References

Websites:

Dr. Vartika Nanda’s website: https://vartikananda.com/

Tinka Tinka Prison Reforms’ Website: http://tinkatinka.org/

Dr. Vartika Nanda’s Blog: https://vartikananda.blogspot.com/

YouTube:

Tinka Jail Radio Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tinkatinkaprisonreforms4559

Dr. Vartika Nanda’ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@vartikananda76

Wikipedia:

Dr. Vartika Nanda’s Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vartika_Nanda

Special:

International Recognition: BRUT: Panipat Jail Radio Revolution | Brut | Year 2022 | Vartika Nanda - Youtube (Date: January 9, 2022 )

Tinka Tinka: Milestones: Movement – Tinka Tinka Prison Reforms

Amazon Book Links:

Tinka Tinka Tihar (Hindi): https://amzn.in/d/bdCkao0

Tinka Tinka Tihar (Hindi): https://amzn.in/d/bw4Pw0W

Tinka Tinka Dasna (Hindi): https://amzn.in/d/77lYpTl

Tinka Tinka Dasna (English): https://amzn.in/d/7ERUstp

Tinka Tinka Madhya Pradesh: https://amzn.in/d/9v9ObP1

-Nausheen Khan

{Batch of 2026-27}

Department of Journalism

Lady Shri Ram College For Women

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